Aaron Ramsey's vast improvement has been shaped by the confidence that was
shown in him by Arsène Wenger, writes Jeremy Wilson

When it comes to Arsenal, Piers Morgan has previously admitted to the fact that his Twitter stream of commentary can be "over-emotional, angry, reactive and inconsistent".

The case of Aaron Ramsey is a perfect example. Eleven months ago and this was Morgan's view: "What does Wenger see in Ramsey? A complete and utter liability."

Wenger subsequently decided to extend Ramsey's contract, to which Morgan responded: "How on earth did Ramsey just get given a new 5yr contract? Unbelievable."

Having watched Ramsey begin the season with a series of match-winning performances - capped by Wednesday night's winning goal in Dortmund - humble pie is being consumed in huge quantities.

"Let's be honest Arsenal fans - @aaronramsey was very poor last year and we all said it," said Morgan. "He's brilliant now, and I couldn't be happier. Thrilled with his dramatic improvement. I don't know what must be thrilling @aaronramsey more - his amazing form, or the sudden discovery he had SO many secret fans last season."

Morgan, of course, is not the only fan or pundit being forced into retreat. When asked for his view immediately after the recent Marseille game, Theo Walcott even described Ramsey as "like a new signing". It is staggering to think that his 11 goals in 17 games this season were preceded by 150 matches and five long years for his previous 11. So what changed?

The central explanation is also the most obvious. It is about confidence and that does not simply mean the inner self-belief of Ramsey. His vast improvement has also been shaped by the confidence that was shown in him by Arsène Wenger.

This, of course, was most obviously manifested in the decision to award him a new contract until 2017, worth around £13 million.

At that time, it felt like it could prove to be another costly example of Wenger stubbornly showing misguided faith in one of his young players. Denilson or Nicklas Bendtner anyone?

In mitigation, Ramsey had mostly been struggling when asked to start in place of Walcott on the right wing. He began playing in a midfield two with Mikel Arteta during the second half of last season and has continued to thrive in that role with either Jack Wilshere or Mathieu Flamini this year.

The fact that Ramsey was also winning his fourth consecutive Arsenal 'player of the month' award this week underlines how his improvement pre-dates the current campaign. The first of those awards was in May and he has since followed it up in August, September and October. After goals against Liverpool and now Dortmund, November has started fairly well too.

It has long been known by Arsenal's coaching staff that Ramsey can generally be relied upon to cover more ground than any of his team-mates during a match, but the big difference is in how that energy is being used to influence games. As well as the transformation in Ramsey's goalscoring record, he looks physically more mature this season - something specifically highlighted by Wenger.

"A year or so ago, the situation wasn't easy for him," said Wenger. "He was hesitant sometimes, and perhaps the crowd was impatient with him. Aaron shows great mental strength.

"He has also gained a lot of physical power in the last year, no longer struggling in challenges and duels but brushing opponents off. It's a great feeling for a midfielder to do that.

"On top of that, he's starting to score - something I always felt he was close to doing because he was often the next guy in the box."

Wilshere recently said that it had even now got to the stage where Ramsey's team-mates are expecting him to score. "You get that feeling in every game - every shot he takes now seems to go in," he said.

Walcott believes that Ramsey is among the players to have benefited from Flamini's vocal influence.

"Mathieu's a leader, he's bossing people around and that's what we needed," said Walcott.

It is, of course, impossible to consider Ramsey's resurgence without reference to the trauma of the double leg fracture he suffered against Stoke City in Feb 2010. Although he was back playing football within a year, the mental healing and the development of his full physical potential has required patience.

"All that has happened is he's taken time and games to get stronger and get that fluidity back in his play," said Chris Coleman, the Wales manager. "I've had serious injuries myself. People talk about the physical part which is important as you have to get the agility, but mentally it is tough.

"This is the best we've seen. Mesut Özil is a great player, but if Aaron keeps playing like he is, then I don't think it will be Aaron Ramsey losing his place."

Craig Bellamy has known Ramsey since he joined the Cardiff at the age of nine and also sensed a big difference when they got together with Wales earlier this month.

"What he has been through, the injuries and everything else, has helped him to become the player he is - it's the best I've seen him," said Bellamy.

Ramsey himself has said that there is "no better feeling than winning people over" and specifically noted the importance of playing regularly in his preferred central midfield position.

By coincidence, Arsenal's opponents on Sunday are Manchester United. Ramsey chose Arsenal above United way back in 2008 following personal conversation with both Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Judging by his autobiography, that decision still grates with Ferguson to this day. It is also the central explanation for the eight-point lead over Manchester United that Arsenal hope to extend on Sunday.